NEW LOGANAIR CONTRACT FUELS PRICE HIKE FOR UIST TRAVELLERS
Loganair has introduced a Barra-only residents fare under a new four year contract to operate essential air services between Barra and Glasgow.
The change will affect those Uist residents and family visitors who previously made use of the much-reduced fares on the Barra route. While fares for Barra residents will be capped at £91, Uist travellers will see their fares rise by a minimum of £20 and in many circumstances, considerably more.
The Transport Scotland contract for the Barra – Glasgow service is subsidised under a Public Service Obligation which sets service level agreements and also allows for lower fares.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) has long-called for the same level of subsidy to be awarded to the Benbecula – Stornoway flight, which also operates under a Public Service Obligation but is not supported in the same way.
In July, CnES was forced to cut the Stornoway service to two days a week saying it did not have the funds to cover the £629k costs of the service. The Comhairle warned that the change would negatively affect NHS patients, who it said made up 90% of the route’s ticket sales.
Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP, Angus MacNeil says he has written to Loganair and the Scottish Government regarding the increased airfares:
“This has been rushed in without the necessary safeguards in place. Non-island residents will pay more and therefore could be charged up to £160 one way. This raises questions about wider family and friends visiting the island.
“There will be a chaotic period until they sort it out. I think there should be a hiatus in the pricing changing structure. Stability for islanders and visitors, particularly as we are at the beginning of winter, it is not the most difficult time to sort this out. Current prices should be maintained until the chaos is ironed out by both parties.”
Last month Loganair confirmed that the company was no longer for sale. A statement from current sole owners Stephen and Peter Bond said: “The suspension of the sale process allows the Company to complete the re-fleet programme and address the specific issues impacting the world-wide supply chain availability and costs. There has never been a time-bound reason for the sale of Loganair, and we remain committed to the Company until both the right time and custodian to acquire the Company is chosen”.
In October, Loganair was named Airline of the Year for 2023 by the European Regional Airline Association (ERA). The company, which employs more than 850 people across its network, was honoured in recognition of its “impressive performance” in returning to profitability following the pandemic whilst at the same time improving terms for its staff. Judges also highlighted its progressive ‘Green Skies’ environmental impact mitigation programme.
